Strongman Rhetoric in Bihar Campaign Sparks FIR Row Ensues

Updated on Nov - 04 - 2025, 09:41 AM

A fiery moment in the lead-up to the Bihar assembly elections has turned into a legal and political flashpoint. Lalan Singh, Union Minister and senior member of the Janata Dal (United) (JD(U)), has ignited controversy after calling on party workers to keep opposition leaders locked in their homes on polling day. A video of his remarks has triggered a formal FIR, allies’ demands for action and a public rebuke from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD).

Addressing a crowd in Mokama ahead of the first phase of polling, Singh said: “If they make too much fuss, take them along with you and let them cast their vote. Tell them, ‘Come with us, cast your vote, and then go home and rest.’” The RJD accused Singh of undermining the authority of the Election Commission of India and demanded immediate action. In response the Patna district administration registered a First Information Report under the Indian Penal Code and the Representation of the People Act after examining the video surveillance footage.

The controversy comes amid high stakes campaigning in Bihar, where the JD(U) candidate in Mokama is the contentious figure Anant Singh currently in Beur Jail on murder charges. The presence of a minister campaigning for an incarcerated candidate has further raised eyebrows, with critics arguing that the message inviting opponents to stay home or be escorted raises questions of fairness and free contestation.

From a larger perspective, the incident underscores concerns about the tone of electoral campaigning and the boundary between political strategy and coercion. While parties often rely on strong rhetoric, the video’s content sparked unease about implied intimidation of political opponents and voters. Elections observers will likely monitor how the Election Commission navigates this case, especially given the sensitivity around neutrality, free canvassing, and intimidation during voting.

As Bihar heads into polling on November 6 and 11 with results expected on November 14, the message sent by Singh’s remarks may linger either as a reminder of the need for robust oversight or as a sign of evolving campaign tactics in regional politics. The coming days will show if the authorities respond with more than words.